08.04.08
My Interview with Diana Rajchel, Owner of Magickal Realism
Meet Diana Rajchel, Owner of http://magickalrealism.etsy.com .
Where are you located? Minneapolis.
What do you design? Perfume.
Where/How did you learn this? Like nearly all indie perfumers, I am self taught. This involved books, herbs, experience, and sticking a lot of things near my nose.
Favorite Artist who inspires you? Paul Rucker is a Pagan artist who creates these vivid inspirational paintings that tap straight into my subconscious and forces experience out of me. Anything he does triggers my own creative process.
Where does your inspiration come from? I think that question might be more awkward to answer than Where do babies come from? In my case, I think if it sparks my sense of humor - I have great comedic timing - it also sparks my creative inspiration reflex.
What do you do to combat creative block? I look at the many, many bills I still need to pay. Also, I do take breaks to read a book or watch a DVD - sometimes the brain just needs a different type of exercise before diving back in.
Where do you design your creations? I have a shared studio/office where my boyfriend does geekboy things and I write and do perfumey things. Yes, it is well ventilated.
What does your workspace look like right now? It’s more chaotic than usual. We’re moving soon so I’m trying to get as much stuff as possible placed in good homes - consequently, there is bubble wrap and paper strewn everywhere.
How does your family feel about what you do? They’ve been astonishingly supportive. My father even asked me to make him a sales kit of perfume samples he could show to the ladies he works with!
Do you have any advice for someone looking to make their own creations using this method? In perfumery, it’s all don’t ask, don’t tell. That said, I think I would tell any other perfumer that was serious enough about it as an art form to take risks and to honor instincts. There are a few people in the botanical community that have turned a little bit preditory, and they take advantage of people’s lack of faith in themselves. To make truly great perfume, you have to have faith in yourself, because without it, you’re just a timid smartass with an eyedropper looking for validation that it isn’t really possible to get.
Best advice you received when starting your business venture? Be prepared to work your butt off.
Favortie part of owning your own business? It’s between being able to take naps as I need them and having the freedom to watch episodes of Doctor Who while I pack orders.
Least favorite? Having a business is much like having an infant - it takes nearly all of your time and attention, and you just don’t have the money to go out.
How do you relax? I watch entirely too much TV, I do yoga and I go for a walk. I also have a friend who comes over once or twice a week to ensure I get out of the house and do something non-businessy and to double check that I’m still capable of human speech.
Favorite color? Red.
Does this color show up in a lot of your work? Actually, yes. It shows up not only in my product photography, but my favorite perfumes in my own line usually have a substance that colors them red naturally, like red sandalwood or dragon’s blood.
If there were more hours in the day, what would you be doing? Still working. Also, I might get more writing done.
A sample of Magickal Realism products. For all products, please visit Diana’s website.
